Building block



March 8, 1938. w. .1. LEISER BUILDING BLOCK Filed April so, 1957 gZEZWd/i ZZZ. WZZZZkWZr/T 65562;

M21 )mzzm Patented Mar. 8,1938

BUILDING BLOCK William'J. Leiser, Chicago, Ill., assignor of onehall. to Harry G. Coutts, Chicago, Ill.

Application April 30, 1937, Serial No. 139,915

5 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in building blocks or units, and more particularly relates to improvements in securing tile such as glass to backing such as the concrete of building blocks in such a manner that the tile will be secured to the backing in an efiective manner and in an attractive manner, and also in such a way as to seal the joint between the tile and the backing.

'I am familiar with devices which have attempted to solve this problem but have failed, such as for example, the device of Patent No. 2,058,235. The failure of this device to solve the problem is due to several reasons. For one reason, the body portion of the flange is bent in between the tile and the backing and it has been found that the joint between the tile and the backing is not sealed off. It is well known that if a joint is not sealed off and air is permitted to get in, the air will form condensation which will cause disadvantages such as sweating onthe inside of the outer glass which is exposed to the elements, rendering the same unsightly. For another reason the device of the said patent has proved unsatisfactory because a space is left between the meeting edges of adjacent tiles due to the fact that the edges of the tiles are bevelled. According to my invention the problem is solved by providing a tile binding element having a body portion which does not bend inwardly between the tile and the backing, but which extends over the joint between the tile and the backing. It is thus manifest that it is impossible for air to penetrate directly into the joint as in the case of previous devices, and owing to the construction shown, it is impossible for the air to work around the inside of the tile binding element, and thus the joint is completely sealed. I have also provided for a tile with fiat edges perpendicular to the face of the tile with grooves in the edges of the tile and a flange on the tile binding element perpendicular to the body portion of the tile binding element whereby the flange is received into the groove and locks the tile securely to the backing, tongues being provided on the body portion which are adapted tol be gripped by the concrete. It will thus be manifest that not only is the joint sealed, but an even appearance is presented in a building front, inasmuch as the meeting edges of adjacent tiles are flat and there is very little space between saidedges, said space being no greater than the thickness of a pair of tile binding elements. It also will be apparent that the tile my be made relatively thin and will be securely fastened at all times without any danger of the tile falling out or moving. While other tile and glass may be used, my invention is particularly advantageous for glass and it will be understood that either colored glass may be used or a colored backing for the glass may be provided to give various color effects.

In addition to the improvements stated I have provided a modified form of tile provided with a corrugated boss and corrugated areas, the uses and advantages of which will be more evident hereinafter.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent and brought out more fully in the following description, reference being had to the accompanylng drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of two building blocks, embodying the principles of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a face view of one of the blocks.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the tile binders, embodying principles of my invention.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan section of a modified form of the invention for securing a tile to a backing, the same being as if taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1-4 of the drawing in which I have selected a concrete example, illustrating one of the applications of the principles of my invention Fig. 1 shows a pair of building blocks I0 and II, the only difference between the blocks being that one is twice as long as the other. Referring to block Ill, the block has two faces l2 and I3, which in the form shown are of glass, but which may be of any other suitable tile or material. The block I0 is in the form of a cube and has side walls l4, l5, and I6, and I1, made of concrete, as will be readily understood, and the block, it will be understood, may rest on any one of its side walls in the form shown.

The block ID on each of its side walls is provided with a pair of tile binding elements l8. The tile binding elements of the block are adapted to secure the glass to the concrete of the block as will be brought out hereinafter more fully. The tile binding elements shown are similar and a description of one ofthem will suiiice although it should be understood that the variations may be made in the form of these tile binding ele ments without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to Fig. 4, the tile binder l8 has a body portion l9 and a flange 20 which is perpendicular to the body portion in the form shown, and the flange 'is provided with a double back portion 2|, as clearly shown in Fig. 4 and .Fig. 3.

JI'he glass faces l2 and I3 are each provided with grooves 22 on the flat edges of each tile or glass l2 or l3. These grooves 22 are clearly illustrated in Fig. 3. Each tile binder in the body portion H has a plurality of tongues 24 stamped out of the body portion l9 andbent back rearwardly to extend into the cement of one of the side walls. As a result of the stamping out of the tongues there result V-shaped slots 25 which may be filled with cement or adhesive to lock the binder more securely to the concrete of the side and also to lock two adjacent blocks together, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. It will be understood that the flange 20 is adapted to lock into one of the grooves 22 of one of the glass plates l2 and secure the same in place in combination with other tile binders on one or more other faces.

In order to better secure the tile binder to the glass plate and the glass plate to the concrete and to seal off the atmosphere from the inside of the block and from the joints, an adhesive 26 may be filled into the groove 22 of the glass plate l2 or l3 and about the inner face of the tile binder where the tile binder contacts the glass and upon the marginal portions of the inner face of the glass plate I 2, as particularly shown in Fig. 3.

By the arrangement just described, it is practically impossible for moisture or air to work its way in between the glass and the concrete and the binder. In order for moisture to get in between the glass and concrete, it would be necessary for moisture to work into the groove 22 and up on the inside of the tile binder and inwardly between the concrete and the glass plate. Because of the construction shown this is rendered impossible. This construction is advantageous over devices now on the market, whereby the body portion of the tile binder is bent in between the glass plate and theconcrete.

It will also be clear from Fig, 3 that by setting these blocks one on topof the other and by providing binders of the type illustrated, .a flat uniform even face may be presented on a building. Only a slight space is necessary between faces or tile and that distance is no greater than the thickness of a pair of tile elements, and any space which does exist may easily be filledup by inserting adhesive 26- between the flat outer edges of the tile as shown clearly in Fig. 3. It will also be understood that adhesive may be filled in between the blocks behind the tile elements. It will be clear to those skilled in -the art that by the principles of my invention building blocks are provided which are completely sealed against atmospheric ele-' ments.

In Fig. 5 there is shown a modified iormof the invention for securing a tile to a backing, and this view is as it would appear if taken on the line 5-5 of- Fig. 2 if Fig. 2 were to involve the same construction. In the form shown in Fig. 5, there is shown a tile 21 having a groove 22 similar to the groove previously described. There is also shown a tile binder l8 similar in all respects to the tile binder heretofore described having the body portion l9, flange 20, 'and the tongues 24. The tile binder I8 is adapted to secure the tile 21 to a backing or block I a which is similar to the block l0 previously described, except that it is provided with a recess 28 adjacent to the tile 21. The inner face 29 of the tile 21 is provided with a corrugated boss 20 and corrugated portions 3i on the inner face.

The narrow boss 30 is adapted to fit in the recess 28 of the block Illa. For further sealing on the air from the joint between the tile and the backing, an adhesive 26 may be filled in between where the tile contacts the block as will be manifest from an inspection of Fig. 5.

While only one joint has been shown in Fig. 5. it will be manifest that in this form of the invention, the recess 28 in the block Illa may extend entirely around the marginal portion of the block Illa adjacent the tile, and it will also be understood that the boss 30 and the narrow'portions will extend similarly around the inner face of the tile adjacent all four edges.of the tile so as to register with the recess 28 of the block Illa. It will be understood that the tile binder itself shown in Fig. is the same as the tile binder shown in the other figures, and functions in the same manner. In the form shown in Fig. 5, the backing and the tile binders may be 'made up in advance as units and afterwards the tile may be applied to the units in the course of the construction of the building, for example. It will be understood by those familiar with the art that the tile binder may be made of more or less resilient material which may be sprung to permit the placement of the tile. It will thus be apparent that, if desired, the construction of the tile and backing shown in Fig. 5 may be substituted for the construction shown in the other figures. I

The inner face of the glass 29 may be provided with corrugations 32 as shown in Fig. 5, in a central area of said inner face, that is, between the borders of the inner face. While it is possible to secure the tile to the backing as shown in Fig. 5 without the tile binder, I

' prefer to use the tilebinder also.

In making building blocks according to my invention, it will be understood that the glass may be placed at the bottom of a mold with the tile binding elements in position with the flanges of the tile binding elements, located in the grooves of the edges of the glass tile. Concrete may then be poured in the well known manner to form a unit. When it is desired to use glass or other tile on opposite sides of a unit, it will be understood that the cube block shown in Fig. 1 may be made in two sections, each of which has one glass tile, .and then the two sections may be cemented or otherwise secured to each other.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction selected for illustrating the principles of my invention, and for carrying the same'into effect, the same is capable of variation and modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention. I therefore do not wish to be limited to the construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims. I

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. Ina tile binding device, a body portion, a fiange related in a substantially perpendicular manner to said body portion and being adapted to be received into the groove of a tile for the purpose of binding a tile .to a backing. said body portion being provided with means adapted to secure the tile binding device to the backing, the body portion of the tile binding device being adapted to extend over and seal the joint between a tile binding element adapted to bind a tile to said backing, said tile binding element having a body portion and a tongue extending i'rom said body portion into said backing to secure the tile binding element to the backing, said tile binding element having a flange arranged in a substan-- tially perpendicular manner to the body portion, a tile adapted to be secured to the backing by the tile binding element, said tile having substantially fiat edges arranged in a perpendicular manner to the faces of the tile, and said tile being provided with a groove adapted to receive the flange of the tile binding element so as to lock said tile to said backing, said body portion of the tile binding element being adapted to cover and seal the joint between the backing and the tile.

3. In a building unit, a backing for said unit, a tile binding element adapted to bind a tile to said backing, said tile binding element having a body portion and tongues extending from said body portion into said backing to secure the tile binding element to the backing, said tile binding element having a flange arranged in a substantially perpendicular manner to the body portion, a tile adapted to be secured to the backing by the tile binding element, said tile having substantially flat edges arranged in a perpendicular manner to the faces of the tile, and said tile being provided with a groove adapted to receive the flange of the tile binding element so as to lock said tile to said backing, said body portion oi the tile binding element being adapted to'cover and seal the joint between the backing and the tile,

and an adhesive element located between the tile and the tile binding element and. marginallybetween the tile and the backing.

4. In a building unit, a tile binding elements adapted to bind a tile to said 3 backing for said unit,

backing, each of said tile binding elements having a body portion and tongues extending from said body portion into said backing to secure thetile binding element to the backing, each tile binding element having a flange arranged in a substantially perpendicular manner to the body portion, a tile adapted to be secured to the backing by the tile binding element, said tile havingsubstantially fiat edges arranged in a perpendicular manner to the faces of the tile, and said tile being provided with grooves adapted to receive the flangcsoi the tile binding elements so as to lock said tile to said backing, said body portions of the tile binding elements being adapted to cover and seal the joint between the backing and the tile.-

a 5. In a building unit, a backing for said unit, tile binding elements adapted to bind a tile to said backing, each of said tileibinding elements having a body portion and tongues extending from said body portion. into said backing to secure the tile binding element to the backing, each tile binding element having a flange arrangedin a substantially perpendicular manner to the body portion, a tile adapted to be secured to the backing by the tile binding element, said tile having substantially fiat edges arranged in a perpendicular manner to the faces of the tile, and said tile being provided with grooves adapted to receive the flanges of the tile binding elements so as to -lock said tile to said backing, said body portions of the tile binding elements being adapted to cover and seal the Joint between the backing and the tile, and an adhesive element located between the tile and the tile binding elements-and marginally I between the tile and the backing.

WILLIAM -J. LEISER. 40 

